Fresh off of representing Canada at the 1975 Pan-American Canoeing Championships, Jean Fournel was selected to paddle for his nation at the 1976 Summer Olympics. As a member of the K4-1000 squad, he did not qualify in the opening round of the event, but survived to the semi-finals by finishing third in his heat in the repêchage. He was then eliminated in a heat that was won by Spain, the eventual runners-up. Once his competitive career ended he worked as a fireman, but also founded the Pointe-Claire Canoe Club alongside his wife Guylaine St. Georges, who had competed at the Pan-American Games as a member of the Canadian national canoeing squad. He served as a coach to many aspiring athletes including his children Émilie, who competed in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games, and Hugues, who participated in the 2012 edition. Jean, however, never got to see either of his children make the national team as he died of cancer in 1997.
Canada